Jodie Whittaker Is The New Doctor Who

by Erik Amaya

Ending months of speculation, Broadchurch veteran Jodie Whittaker was announced today as the new face of Doctor Who. The Whittaker is the 13th actor to star as the Doctor in the show’s 54 year history. She is also the first woman to play the Time Lord and British folk hero.

“It’s more than an honor to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope. I can’t wait,” said the actor, who’s confirmation as the Doctor was revealed after the conclusion of the Wimbeldon Men’s Final. Her appointment also ends months of speculation about the Doctor’s gender and ethnicity. Or, at least, what those things might mean here on Earth with the Time Lords of Gallifrey reportedly living in an age past such distinctions.

“I always knew I wanted the Thirteenth Doctor to be a woman and we’re thrilled to have secured our number one choice. Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away,” added incoming showrunner and Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall, who finally takes the reins from writer Steven Moffat at the conclusion of the upcoming Christmas Special. “Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role. The Thirteenth Doctor is on her way.”

Whittaker’s and Chibnall’s tenures begin near the conclusion of the 2017 Christmas special. “It’s my show up to the point Mr. Capaldi regenerates,” outgoing showrunner Steven Moffat told Entertainment Weekly. “Then it passes to Chris, and he worries about the last section.”

While I’ve never taken notice of Whittaker before, I’ll definitely go back and pay attention to some her past performances. Also, to be honest, I didn’t think Chibnall would pull the trigger and cast a woman. But it is definitely a thrilling change for the series. The reactions are thrilling to read, but my favorite so far is Sixth Doctor Colin Baker:

Change my dears and not a moment too soon – she IS the Doctor whether you like it or not!

Erik Amaya

Host of Tread Perilously and a Film/TV Writer at Comicon.com and Rotten Tomatoes. A former staff writer at CBR and Bleeding Cool, and a contributing writer at Fanbase Press and Monkeys Fighting Robots. Voice of Puppet Tommy on The Room Responds. A seeker of the Seastone Chair and the owner of a Legion Flight Ring. Sorted into Gryffindor, which came as some surprise.